Foreign-trained California RN with no experience. What do I do?

[jackie.cheung]

Hi!

I graduated with a BSN degree in the Philippines last March 2009. I arrived here in USA last January 2013 and got my California Registered Nurse license last March 2013.

My experience as a Registered Nurse was only in the Philippines as a volunteer (hospital) RN in the Pedia Ward and as a corporate clinic RN for almost two years (mostly administrative work). I don't have experience as a US RN yet. I applied to hospitals, nursing homes and snfs since I got my license but some responded that they considered more qualified applicants and/or requires at least 1-yr of US RN experience.

I am very desperate now and don't know what to do. The residency programs that I have looked up requires having graduated within 6 mos. I also tried applying as volunteer but no one seems to consider my application.

The fact that I don't have my own car yet makes my options limited. Having also graduated last 2009 and having no experience as an RN here in US makes me lose the confidence to be a nurse.

Do you think a refresher course will help? I am located near LA area. Do you know any institute offering refresher courses suited for my case?

[oncerfan]

Unfortunately, you are competing against a lot of new grads that trained in CA and the USA for a few number of positions that are open to new grads or new grad friendly. Take a refresher course. Network. Keep applying. That's all you can do.